Former Rockets assist in beating Saskatchewan for Canada West title

Jamie Crooks scored a hat trick in the third period as the University of Alberta Golden Bears pulled away to beat the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 6-3 in the third-and-deciding game of the Canada West final in Saskatoon on Sunday evening.

Tied 2-2 through two periods, Crooks — formerly of the WHL’s Victoria Royals — netted the go-ahead goal in highlight-reel fashion and later made it 5-2 before completing his hat trick with an empty-net goal to round out the scoring.

Coldstream product Cole Sanford also had a hand in Alberta’s win, tallying the 2-2 equalizer on a power play late in the second period. Sanford played junior for the Medicine Hat Tigers and Regina Pats.

The best-of-three series featured four former Kelowna Rockets in forwards Tyson Baillie and Cole Linaker for the Golden Bears against goaltender Jordon Cooke and defenceman MacKenzie Johnston for Saskatchewan.

Baillie and Linaker both reached the scoresheet Sunday, assisting on the 3-2 and 4-2 goals, respectively.

Alberta also won Friday’s opener, prevailing 4-3 thanks to one goal and three assists from Linaker.

Saskatchewan rebounded in Saturday’s rematch, with Cooke making 26 saves for the shutout in a 2-0 win.

Cooke was named Canada West’s goaltender of the year earlier in the week, while Baillie was the conference’s rookie of the year.

Both teams — the Golden Bears and Huskies — advance to the U Sports University Cup, hosted by the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton from March 16 to 19.